RV Coast 2 Coast 21

[chunker]

Originally Posted by JTwilber57

All great information. Thanks all. We have a Master plan for big loop, First time cross country for us. BUT... I'm not setting any reservations and if We love a spot and want to stay for a couple of weeks we will and adjust the trip to accomodate. Want to see National Parks especially Utah, California and Montanna if we make it. PRIMARY reason for post was to gather others on same type of cross country trip to join group to post our experiences as we actually prepare and travel. Facebook most likely but ope to ideas. If anybody would like to participate let me know. Thanks again all for great information and questions.

My suggestion on planning and reservations. Pick some major sites that you likely will spend more time and get reservations for those areas. Example lets say that the area around Bryce Canyon UT you will find multiple things to see, Bryce canyon, Capitol Reef, Cedar Breaks, Zion, and other. Maybe a couple weeks there allowing hiking down into the canyons. Then say Yellowstone approaching it the same way. Get reservations for these 3 big ones with some flex time in-between that you will attempt to "wing it" in other, smaller, more out of the way places.

This summer and the crowds is going to be a great unknown but I'd have reservations at some places that guarantees you a seat at the table so to speak.

I'm going to do a 4-6 week trip with the toy hauler in March/April going from south AL to Tucson AZ along 10 and return more northerly. Stops in MS, LA and TX for specific things and some fill in. I will make some reservations. This summer I may try a MI UP and upper reaches of WI, weather and politics being considered. I figure Canada will still be closed so no plans there yet. Maybe 2022 or later

[Rockwood27]

Unless you're a native Southerner, you may find Florida to be weather oppressive in the the "summer" (May to November). It will be hot, humid and rainy every day. You will need to travel along the southern routes through Texas and Arizona to get to California. Have you been in Arizona in the summer? Temperatures can reach into the low 100's. You may want to rethink a fall, winter, spring trip, where you can travel with the weather. An added benefit is kids are in school and don't vie for your sightseeing time.

[Triangle Drifter]

We are a little shorter in time & distance but our plan B is a loop from MD to N CA, up the coast to the Olympic & return to MD late April to mid August. This is not our first time across the country. As before, there are no real firm times or places to be.

Plan A is Newfoundland. Been there before too. As things go with the border this trip is looking less likely.

[SomeDay]

Hey JT, good for you on the trip. I'm sure your 5 to 6 months will work well for the way YOU wish to travel! I don't know anything about it but what about RVillage or RV Village for reporting on your trip and location. Apparently it's getting stronger and stronger. You Me and the RV (Stacey & Phil) did a write up on it as well I'm sure others.

FWIW: We plan our route quite well in advance over many weeks prior, with tons of stops indicated and a splattering of odd day here and there for catch up/overspill in case we want to stay somewhere or stop on a local recommendation as we travel. We don't reserve anything, as we don't know how long we might be for sure in any area without being too rushed.

Typically we do odd nights of 1 to 3 in any given spot, with stops and starts looking at a trail head, waterfall, cute town, or farmers market enroute as we are heading down the road. Sometimes we might drive over 300 miles in a day with lots of stops to see something/ lunch/breakfast etc, and other times we only go <20 miles down the road and overnight again.

Fishing, snorkelling, diving, kayaking, waterfalls, mountains, vistas, old architecture, Old West, Farm/animal based and cute towns for people watching are our main interests. An odd dinner themed attraction like Arabian Knights or Dolly's Stampede and maybe a flutter in an overnight casino here and there. We aren't into huge hiking like many, but happy to walk a couple miles on a trail to see something beautiful, but just not into most types of museums or trains/planes/automobiles or war type stuff.

Appreciate that we are not full timers but extended timers, and recognise we also get bored pretty quickly of the same old, wanting to see what's around the next corner. I'm sure one day when we feel we've seen most of what we want to and feel absorbed (tired of travelling too much/too often), we'll maybe locate to a more themed type resort/city area for a couple weeks at a time. We just aren't ready yet, but to each as always their own.

Enjoy your trip

[Texsinbad]

We are picking up our first travel trailer, Rockwood 2205S in the next few weeks, and after getting it ready and loaded up, plan to do something similar.

You were asking about company. I recently found out about RV Village (don't know if I can post links, but just Google it), and through it, you can connect with other RVers anywhere you travel.

I don't have any personal experience since we don't have an RV yet, but it sounds good.

[JTwilber57]

Our rough sketch as of right now:
Leave Florida by 4/10
TX-OK 4/20
AZ 5/1
CA 5/10
OR 6/1
MT 6/15
UT 7/1
SD 7/15
MI 7/27

No reservations to keep maximum flexiblility. If we love a spot we can extend trip or dump a location.

Jonathan

[JTwilber57]

I just read through all the comments. Thanks so much folks for commenting. Great observations and suggestions. Bottom line is I really have no idea how big a 23K mile trip is (thats what trip wizard says). Maybe I'll get sick of driving... maybe we will just keep going through October. I do know I'll have to fly my wife back a couple of times for her fix with the Grand kids. The whole thing is an experiment.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by JTwilber57

I do know I'll have to fly my wife back a couple of times for her fix with the Grand kids. The whole thing is an experiment.

Stay at a nice RV park that has cabins near a national park. Then the families can drive out to meet you or you could fly the kids for a vacation with grandma - early Christmas gift. We've done that and everyone had a great time.

Sounds like you're planning 10 - 14 days for one whole state. You won't be able to zigzag through the state to see things. That's basically a 1-3 stop time period so I believe you need to get a paper atlas and mark sites that you really want to see and plan your route to include them so you don't get to the the 14 days & find that there were things you really wanted to see.

[Arch Hoagland]

Keep in mind that the northern states have two seasons.

Winter and road repair season.

You are going to get to the point of hating the "Road Repair Ahead" sign.

[chunker]

Originally Posted by JTwilber57

I just read through all the comments. Thanks so much folks for commenting. Great observations and suggestions. Bottom line is I really have no idea how big a 23K mile trip is (thats what trip wizard says). Maybe I'll get sick of driving... maybe we will just keep going through October. I do know I'll have to fly my wife back a couple of times for her fix with the Grand kids. The whole thing is an experiment.

Seems like a lot of miles. In 16 we went from south east Alabama to Alaska and back via a southern route up and upper mid western route back with some zig zag and had 12.9K miles on the coach and 5K on the Jeep toad. We were gone 4 months. Regardless since you have no rigid timetable or routing, you'll enjoy. Later this month expect many of those wester state closures to suddenly "get well" and open things back up. NY apparently "doing better" and things reportedly opening.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by JTwilber57

My wife an are going to RV coast to coast this Summer. New England to Florida to California up and over. I would to put together a group\channel with others that are doing the same thing so we can all share where we are and what we are doing and learning as we travel. No rules, just RV, Coast to Coast (the big trip) and desire to share the journey. So I'm looking for ideas about how to get others to join in and suggestions on best venue. Thanks !

When are you leaving New England? - How long in Florida? It appears that the Trip is the Mission - BUT - What do you enjoy - National Parks - State Parks - Water - Hikes - Photography - Fishing - Museum's - ............ Lot of different options, those of us who have done this Generally have had just a touch more Focus on the Mission - again, JMHO.

Originally Posted by JTwilber57

All great information. Thanks all. We have a Master plan for big loop, First time cross country for us. BUT... I'm not setting any reservations and if We love a spot and want to stay for a couple of weeks we will and adjust the trip to accommodate. Want to see National Parks especially Utah, California and Montana if we make it. PRIMARY reason for post was to gather others on same type of cross country trip to join group to post our experiences as we actually prepare and travel. Facebook most likely but open to ideas. If anybody would like to participate let me know. Thanks again all for great information and questions.

For this a Journal and a good Camera is needed - could just use your phone - BUT - you need to get it organized or it will be difficult to revisit! Look here at Stan's Photo Album as it is the best I have seen - also will be informative on what to visit as you travel - https://www.pbase.com/sparker1/root%26view=tree - Look through to see what might be available in each area, this is an Excellent link

Originally Posted by JTwilber57

Our rough sketch as of right now:
Leave Florida by 4/10 - I'd try to start earlier to Keep as much of the Weather on your side/favor
TX-OK 4/20
AZ 5/1
CA 5/10
OR 6/1
MT 6/15 - Note here - Going to the Sun Road usually is closed till 4th of July. -
UT 7/1 - Weather in Utah in July id in the 100's -
SD 7/15
MI 7/27

Did I miss something - No Wyoming (Yellowstone and the Tetons) No Idaho - No New Mexico - No Colorado, IMHO one of the Best places to spend 6 months

No reservations to keep maximum flexibility. If we love a spot we can extend trip or dump a location.

Like the No Reservations - just be sure you have the Solar and the Generator needed to Boondock as you will need it.

While you may think this is a plan ...... you need to be MUCH MORE SPECIFIC - otherwise you will just be wandering. Run down to Wal*Mart - Grab an Atlas and a couple different Highlighters - Highlight Specific Stops - for the most part - IMHO - you will just be Driving through most areas - When I do the math it looks like about 100 Days of JUST DRIVING, Not Touring, you said 23,000 miles - without calculating the Specific areas you will try to Visit - 100/7 = 14 plus weeks or over half the time you will be gone (6 x 4 = 24 so only 10 weeks to see all the things you are driving 23,000 miles + for. - -

Jonathan

Jonathan,

While this can easily be done in the timeframe you are allocating - IMHO - you likely will need to possibly break this down into a Number of Trips or add a lot of time to do what your Dream is.

You want to do what to Do what Two Gypsies has done in 16 years in 6 Months - - - .

I've been doing this off and on for 50 years - plus 15 years as a kid with my Parents - and I would not Try what you are doing Today (Note here I did do almost 9,000 miles in 21 days when I was Younger) - - so give this a Long Hard Chunk of Time - refine it and try to possibly divide it into more doable pieces - think about getting the Grands out to Visit a couple time in the Summer - Trust Me they Will Love it

I'll leave you with a link to another great poster - a family that did this every summer - will give you ideas and some ability to understand the Scope of what you are trying to Do. - 20 summers of RV road trip travels across the USA and Canada | Lolo's Extreme Cross Country RV Trips.

Last - a link to some areas of My Favorite state that you Totally left off your list - https://www.flickr.com/photos/michae...n/photostream/ - Mostly of the San Juan's, where it is not even a National Park, and one of the most beautiful Wild areas of the Country.

Hope this is not too Negative, as I applaud you for your ambition - Just think you are looking at it way too much like Thanksgiving Dinner - Yes you have Way Over Loaded Your PLATE! Please don't try to eat it all in just one sitting - as it Makes for great Leftovers and then after you have picked the Bones clean a Great Soup.

Best of Luck,

Note - we did 20,000 miles this summer and just ran the Rockies from Yellowstone to Taos in pretty close to 12 weeks - Will try to do it again - same run just different places next year - did drive out and back a couple times)




image - one place we just love

[JTwilber57]

This is great information. The actual plan as it stands is in the attachment that shows the stops as of now. I tend to bite off more than I can chew so I am trusting that my instincts and wife will let me know if its time to start heading back east... or slowing down and extending into the fall. This is also a test trip for us to see if we like extended camping. We've done 10 day trips for years and love it.

Utah I cant figure out because I feel like April is too early but as you mentioned July may be too hot. Definitly want to do Utah. Maybe Pacific Northwest and Montanna will be next year.

Keep comments coming, I want to learn from everyones experience.

Thanks again !

Jonathan and Mary
Plymouth, MA

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by JTwilber57

This is great information. The actual plan as it stands is in the attachment that shows the stops as of now. I tend to bite off more than I can chew so I am trusting that my instincts and wife will let me know if its time to start heading back east... or slowing down and extending into the fall. This is also a test trip for us to see if we like extended camping. We've done 10 day trips for years and love it.

Utah I cant figure out because I feel like April is too early but as you mentioned July may be too hot. Definitely want to do Utah. Maybe Pacific Northwest and Montana will be next year.

Keep comments coming, I want to learn from everyone's experience.

Thanks again !

Jonathan and Mary
Plymouth, MA

Jon, you are a Planner ------ Let me show you mine from last summer with 20 K - Maryland to Yellowstone to Tetons to Montrose to Taos to WV to Maryland to Colorado to Buena Vista to Monarch Pass to Black Hills to Golden to WV to Home. Left on the June the 14th - returned on Maryland on October 23 - Roughly 120 days ........... saw a lot - but Been there Many - Many times before - and will continue to return.


I'd look at catching Utah in the early part of the trip - If too Cool for you just head out - We have done it in all seasons but prefer the Winter - Yes on occasion you get Lucky and Catch some Snow - Had it, Snow, in December - January - February - May and June ........... so Just depends what you enjoy - You might recall you can Heat that thing (RV) a Lot easier than you can Cool it in the Boonies - JMHO - We also did Angels Landing in Shorts and T's couple days before Christmas one Year - then Had 8"'s of Snow in Bryce a Day later. - Unbelievable Sunset Images with the Snow on the Hoo Doo's.

While in Page the Drive to North Rim, if open, is Beautiful. (Try to catch the Breakfast Buffet at sunrise or sunset in the Lodge - Best memories ever) With the Plan you Have - look hard at catching the desert in the Cooler weather - then into the Rockies - when you start to need the Air - I love the Down Comforter a lot more than the A/C with the Generator Running, Just a thought. -

Look at Cali - Oregon and Washington as Summer visits - issue then is the Crowds - Yes Really Big Crowds - so much so you cannot even get into the National Parks without waiting your turn. You being from New England will be fine with humidity but when it goes over 110 It's HOT!!!! Even with no Humidity - there is also Little Shade.

Seriously look at this as Two Trips - Cali is fine early - still crowded but almost doable - Personal Note here - I was a youngster in Cali and had one of my Boy go to College there - I only fly in and out now. Just a shell of what it once Was. JMHO - BUT - Yosemite and those Sequoias are just Unique. Out of Cali arriving in Seattle area after Memorial Day then to Glacier around the 4th of July. From there where ever you want, as you are on the top of the Rockies.

One last thing to try to work into the Plan - is when you stay somewhere - get away from the main tourist spots - then take a week (Cheaper) and allows you some just rest time. Also talk to the CG Host and the Locals they Know the Areas and what to see.

Stay in the parks when and where you can - Really get Knowledgeable on boon docking as it is you safety Plug.

Will be interesting to Follow so Continue to Post once you start - with Images as they will really tell the story.

Best of Luck,

[Busskipper]

This may Help - Just popped on my Screen - Might be a bit long but still Good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUDBwBJeKvY